Lubbock, Texas ? Bob Knight has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep the basketball coach at Texas Tech until 2009.

Athletic director Gerald Myers said Wednesday the agreement probably would be signed next week. Knight’s contract pays him $250,000 a year and runs through May 2006.

Knight needs 48 victories to overtake Dean Smith (879) as the winningest coach in Division One. He has led Texas Tech to three consecutive seasons of at least 20 wins and has taken the Red Raiders to the postseason each year.

“I’m pleased with the direction of our program,” Myers said. “He’s done a great job turning everything around.”

Knight will begin his fourth season at Tech with 832 wins. He is the victory leader among active coaches. Knight was hired by Texas Tech in 2001, six months after he was fired by Indiana for what then-school president Myles Brand called his “pattern of unacceptable behavior.”

Before Knight’s arrival, Tech hadn’t had a winning season in four years. Tech is 68-33 under Knight.

Knight’s current five-year contract is worth $4.5 million.

Near the end of his second season at Tech, Knight announced he was returning his salary because he hadn’t done a good job, and neither had his team.

He also turned down his salary his first season at Tech, citing his gratitude for being hired.

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